Indian ecotourism firm shortlisted for world travel award

People booking flights to India may be interested to know that one of Kerala's tour operators has been shortlisted for a prestigious environmental award.

Tourindia is among the companies that will be contesting one of the categories at the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards run by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

It has been nominated for the Community Benefit Award at the WTTC event.

The organisation specialises in offering travellers unusual experiences in some of south India's remote corners.

This includes introducing Kettuvallam houseboats to the backwaters of Kerala and building treehouses and eco-lodges in cardamom plantations in Vythiri in the north of the region.

One of its flagship projects is the Periyar Tiger Trail, which sees local residents of the rainforest acting as tour guides to visitors, rather than turning to poaching to earn a living.

Since its introduction, many former poachers have become role models in the community and advocates of conservation. The Periyar region also boasts no cases of poaching being reported within the past two years.